We are saddened by Friday’s stampede in Mymensingh which killed 27 people and injured over 50 others.
It is tragic for families to be bereaved during what was meant to have been a routine distribution of clothes given as Zakat. Sadly, this is not unprecedented.
The public has a right to demand authorities do more to ensure public safety and prevent such incidents recurring.
However, we believe there is a broader question which also needs to be answered about how we as a society can make it simpler and more effective for people to donate to charity.
This is particularly pertinent as the nation approaches the end of Ramadan, when Muslims are reminded of the obligation of Zakat to give 2.5% of one’s net wealth each Islamic year to benefit the poor.
Finding ways to promote Zakat so that it helps poor people lift themselves out of poverty would, in principle, bring more good than ad hoc gifts of food or clothes to destitute people.
Charities should work together better to make it easier for individuals to identify and donate to social welfare organisations which are achieving the most positive long-term impact. Banks could help facilitate greater funds by enabling regular monthly donations. Media organisations can also play a role by highlighting well-run organisations where the impact and expenditure of funds is most effective and transparent.
The relative lack of such collaborative initiatives in our country, efforts by government and religious organisations notwithstanding, means that a lot of individuals’ charitable giving is not being spent as effectively as it could.
It also means that when disasters occur, we lack the infrastructure which exists in other countries for organisations to work co-operatively to quickly raise and efficiently distribute funds.
Making it simpler for the public to give money and support where it does most good is an essential step to both making the most of the public’s charitable impulse and to encourage a greater regular flow of funds.
